Severing mechanism



F. L. O. WADSWORTH SEVERING MECHANI SM Original Filed April 9, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l 11a 10s zooi IEO .Pune 25, 1940. F. l., o. WADSWORTH SEVERING MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. L. o. WADSWORTH v 2,205,868

SEVERING MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1955 3 She@(,S--Sheei:i 3

172 171 170 gab 75 :cm i 155@ m ///////f 145 Patented June 25, 1940 iti-stares roasts' SEVER'ING MECHANISM Ind., a corporation of indiana @riginal application April 9, 1935, Serial No.

Divided and this application January 16, i937, Serial No. l2il,925

9 Claims. (Cl. 249-214) This invention relates to a severing mechanism and more .particularly to an improvement in a mechanism for severing individual mold charges from a continuously ilowing stream of molten glass, and is division of a pending application Serin No. 15,416, led April 9, 1935 by Frank L. O. Wadsworth; deceased and which has matured into Patent No. 2,100,760 of November 30, 1937. .y

The primary object of this invention is to provide a cutting mechanism for severing a continuously nov/ing stream of molten glass which willy be capable of separating the successivelyforrned sections thereof without exerting any retarding action on the flowing material, and which may, if desired, be so operated as to assist the downward movement of the stream at or in 'the zone of severance.

Another feature of this invention is to? provide a cutting mechanism which will shape the severed ends of the stream sections without moditying or interfering with the continuous iiow of the molten glass.

A further object of this invention is the proi vision of a severing mechanism which is adapted to not only perform the last-mentioned function, but which is also adapted to accelerate the downward velocity of the severed charge and to deliver it 'to the receiving receptacle at a speed that is materially higher than that which it can acquire in a free fall through the same distance, and to further impart to the downwardly moving mass a transverse component of movement in the direction or mold travel. The purposes of these features of improvement are: firstto avoid loss of time in delivery; secondto augment the momcntum of themoving charge and thereby .in-

crease the compressing eiect of its impact on the wallsof themold cavity; and third-to facilitate its delivery `to a continuously moving receptacle. in additional object of the present invention is to provide form of accelerated delivery shear mechanism. which is not 'only adapted to shape the oncoming lower end of the severed stream to a de'iinte predetermined form, but is also capable of reshaping the upper` end of the cut-oif section to a different contour from that imparted to it by the cutting operation per se, and to thus ob* tain a mold charge whose entire cross section, i. both the sides and the ends, can be varied and controlled by the accelerateddelivery shear mechanism. The utilization of this feature makes it possible to impart to the upper ends of the severed mold charges a substantially fiat or, if

esired, a concave surface in place of the rounded or tapered shape obtained by the use of the usual form of severing mechanism, and to thereby eliminate any tendency of the upper end of the ncharge to lap or foldover on itself when it is deplished by means of this invention, various exemplary embodiments of which are described in the accompanying speciiication and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l'is a side view of one form of the improved shear mechanism;

2 is a plan view of this mechanism;

Fig. plane IIL-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. i is another' partial cross section on the horizontal plane lV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a' broken section on the vertical plane III-111 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a' composite vertical section, the up" per part being taken on the plane VI-VI of Fig. and the lower part on the plane Vla-Vla oi that saine iigure;

7 is a detail Section showing the action of the' shear blades on the flowing stream of glass;

Figs. 8, 9 and l() are diagrams illustrating the kinematic action of the link elements of the improved shear organization; f

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of another form of cutting mechanism that exemplifies certain features of this invention;

Fig. l2 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig.. l1;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section on the plane XIII- Xlll of Fig. 12;

Fig. i4 is a diagram of the action of certain parts of this construction;

Fig. l5 isa reduced scale view (in side elevation) of still another exemplary embodiment of the improvements;

Fig. 16 is a plan View oi another form of accelerated ldelivery shear mechanism which embodies this invention, and which presents certain individual features of its own;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section on the plane XVII- XVII of Fig. 16;

Fig. le is an enlarged detail section `on this same plane;

Fig. 19 is a sectional elevation on the plane XIX-XIX of Figs. 16 and 17 (and Fig. 20)

Fig. 20 is a composite section on the double (offset) plane X25-XX of Fig. 1'7;

3 is a partial cross section on the vertical Fig. 2l is a horizontal section of a portion of this mechanism;

Fig. 22 is a plan View of a special form Vof shear blade and guard cup assembly which is adapted to be used in conjunction with theconstruction shown in Figs. 17 to 2l, inclusive;

Fig. 23 is a vertical cross section on the plane .XXIII-XXIII ofFig. 22 with the shear blades closed (as shown in Fig. 17) and Fig. 24 is another vertical cross section on the plane XXIV-XXIV of Fig. 23.

In the drawings several exemplary forms of shear mechanism are illustrated, any of which 4may be employed in connection with a forehearth or made integral with, a segmental bevel gear 00, and is provided with a downwardly extending tubular shaft 39 which is journaled in the head 0l, The other arm is keyed or clamped to the upper end of a solid shaft 90 which is rotatabhT mounted'in the tubular shaft 80 and in the lower part of the head 8l, and which is provided with a second bevel gear segment 9|. The two gear segments 8f3-9| are interconnected by a bevel pinion 02, which is provided with an elongated sleeve hub 0S that is journaled on a iixed stud bolt post 90 carried by the headi. The rotation of the pinion 02 turns the associated elements 00-00-89 and 00-00-9I in opposite directions about the common axis of the shafts Sii- 00, and moves the shear blades 05-85 either toward or awayfrom each other.

The head 8l is supported on the upper ends of three parallel links 95--05 and 90, which are respectively engaged by the cross pintle bolt 0l that passes through the lower portion of the head 0l, and by the pivot pin 93 in the outer e-nd of a bracket member 00 that is screwed into, and forms a substantially integral part of the tubular stud bolt post 90. The lower ends of the three parallel links (Q5-05H90) are pivotally attached to a `reciproeable cylinder |00, that is .slidably mounted on a tubular piston rod |02 that is rigidclamped in fixed position on the 'base frame |03. The central points of the three links, 05-95, and 96, are respectively coupled to pintle bolt supports |04 and B05 on the base frame (|03) by the two pairs of twin arm guide links |06 and i0?.

The tubular piston rod |02 carries a iixed piston |08, with relation to which the movable cylinder |00, which surrounds the same, is :adapted to slide. The tubular piston rod also carries within its interior a reciprocable piston valve |09 which is provided with two cup-shaped heads ||0||0 that engage with the end portions of the hollow rod |02, and with an intermediate head l that is positioned between the side planes of the piston member |00. The lower halves of the heads i l0 are provided with a row of port openings ||2, which are moved into and out of registry with cooperating ports ||4 in the hollow rod |02, by the endwise movement of the valve |00. The tubular rod |02 is also provided with two sets of atmospheric exhaust ports ||5| l5, which are also opened and closed by the reciprocation of the valve member |09, and with radial ports ||5| which open into the cylinder |00 on each side of the piston head |08.

The port openings i0 are in constant communication with a passageway i i8, which is formed in the base plate |03, and which is connected to the casing of a reciprocable piston valve H0 by the pipe |20. The valve member H0 is actuated by a cam |2|| which is secured to a cam shaft |2 la which also carries the cams controlling the operation of the feeder organization (not shown) and which serves to control the flow of motive fluid from the conduit 55a (connected to a suitable source of supply) to the pipe |20, or its escape therefrom to the atmosphere. In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the cylinder |00 is at the extreme left hand end of its stroke; the ports H0 at that end of the piston rod |02 are closed; and the adjacent exhaust ports ||5 are open. In this position the corresponding supply and exhaust ports H0 and H5 at the opposite (right hand) end of the hollow piston rod, are respectively closed and open, but the pipe |20 is also open to the atmosphere, and both ends of the cylinder |00 are therefore connected, through the ports i i0 and i |'i with the outside air. When the rotation of the cam |2| permits the valve ||9 to be raisedby the pressure in the conduit 65a and also by the return spring MScmotive fluid will be admitted to the pipe |20 and, through the open ports. l|2 and to the outer (righthand) end of the cylinder |00, and will move the latter to the right. This will in turn rock ,the interconnected link elements 95-|06, and

ment with a fixed cam |25, which is adjustably supported on a vertical post |0341 that extends upwardly from the base frame |03; and the engaged elements 92a02b92 are rotated in a clockwise direction, on the stud bolt support 94, to move the shear blades 85--85 toward each other and sever the stream of glass flowing from the delivery orifice F of the feeder assembly. It is obvious that this action involves concurrent downward (axial) and transverse (cutting) movements of the shear blades; and that the severing operation will be performed without in any way retarding or interfering with theforced fiow of the stream particles when the axial component of shear blade movementwhich can be readily controlled by the pressure and rate of admission of the motive fluid in and to the outer end of the cylinder H10- is equal to the velocity of "stream flow in the cutting zone. By somewhat increasing the axial speed of shear blade movementas compared with that of the iiowing streamthe severing operation can be made to actually accelerate the downward movement of glass on both sides of the transversely moving blades, and thus assist in shaping the severed ends to a predetermined form or contour.

The shaping action of the downwardly and transversely moving cutting elements (8E-85) may be further regulated and controlled by varying the ratio of the concurrent vertical and horizontal movements of the shear blades. 'Ihis is readily accomplished by changing the form or edge contour of the cam |25. y As here illustrated,

this cam is so shaped that in the preliminary stage of its action the shear blades are rotated through an angle A (from their full open position to the dotted line position of Fig. 2) while i the head 8l is moved downward through the distance M (Figs. 6 and 7) This preliminary movement brings the edges of the cutting elements into contact with the surface of the flowing stream. During the succeeeding period of severing action the blades 85-85 are rotated through theiangle B (to their completely closed position)` while the head 8l is moved downward by the additional amount N; Vbut in order to shape the severed end of the flowing stream to an approximately hemispherical contour, (in the plane VII) the initial transverse `angular movement B1 of the shear blades is very slight-as compared to the corresponding axial travel N1 of the head l-and is then gradually and rapidly accelerated during the nal stage of the cooperative movements B1 to B2, and N1 to N2.

The parts are so proportioned that when the head ill'lhas reached the end of the movement li/I-l-N, the cam block 920, is disengaged from the cam 25; and the shear blades 855--85 are then held in their closed po-sition by the double action spring l2l, which has thenv been` moved to the position yshown in the` lower part of Fig. 6. The downward motion ofthe head 8l is then rapidly accelerated by the continued movement of the cylinder i [lli toward the right, and by the characteristic action of the linkage assembly .Q5-it or llt-I ill), which is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 8, where the points ll-l-i2 to 8', and ll-l"-2" to 8" represent successive correlative positions of the head and cylinder elements 8l and mi). This rapidly accelerated downward movement of the closed shear blades imparts a corresponding velocity tol the cut-olic charge, which is materially greater than that of free taligthis increased velocity being, of course, regulated and controlled by the pressure of motive fluid in the right hand end of the cylinder itil.

In order to keep the severed charge in alignment with the closed blades 85, Sli-and to also prevent any undue flattening of its upper end by the accelerating pressure thereon-a pair of semi-cylindrical guard cups Mea-85a, having hemisplierical upper ends, are attached to the shear blade arms Sti- 86, and are so proportioned as to lightly embrace, but not compress or dis.- tort, the sides of the charge and to guide it in its accelerated downward movement. y

As the moving members approach the end of their outward and downward travel the head of the cylinder lll@ engages a pin iillla, which is slidably mounted in the base frame m3, and rocks a lever lih, which is pivotally supported thereon, to the right; thereby shifting the reciprocable piston valve illS in the same direction and 'reversing the port connections H2 and H5 at the opposite ends of the hollow piston rod m2. This opens the right hand end of the cylinder to the atmosphere and puts the opposite end thereof in communication with. the motive Huid pipe and passage ll-l 5S; thus rlrst cushioning, then arresting, and finally reversing the movements of the parts 'l-S--IML etc. Since the terminal velocity of the downwardly moving parts 85- dct-ill, etc. is high, and these parts have ccnsiderablemass, it is desirable to assist the cushioning and reversal of the downward movement by the useoi highly elastic springs m35-H330 i which are adapted to engage the lower ends of the head and cup members 8l and 85a` at the lower end of their travel.

In order to open the connected shear blade and guard elements it-85a before the downward movement is completed-and thus completely release the mold charge from any derestrai'nt on its continued fall under the velocity already imparted to it-a tapered nger E28 is provided, which is adjustably mounted in the base plate H13, and which is adapted to enter a notch 53h, in the overlapping edges of the shear blade arms liti-86, and force them apart until the double acting spring I2? passes the dead center point; after which this spring acts to complete the opening movement. The released charge is then permitted to move on downward through the coil and through an opening in the base plate E53, and is projected into the receiving receptacle therebeneath at the maximum velocity imparted to it by the above described action of the accelerated delivery severing mechanism.

In the `return upward movement of the parts ill-Sl-m' etc. the valve l i9 is held in its raised position during lthe first part of the travel. of the cylinder Hl@ to the left; and is then moved downward until it closes the opening to the pipe iZil, and thus traps the already admitted motive fluid in the left hand end of the cylinder and in the connected passage and pipe chambers lig-2Q. The completion of the return movement to initial position is accomplished` by the expansion of this trapped fluidi and` at the end of this movement the projecting boss. on the left hand cylinder head engages an outwardly projecting lug ililc on the valve head lili, and moves the valve lil@ to the position shown in Fig, 5. This again opens communication between the pipe l2@ and the right hand end of the cylinder Mill, but the amount of residual fluid remaining in the passage H8 and the pipe lilll is now so small that it will not` exert any material actuating pressure on this end; and if desired the cam l2l may be so shaped that the valve lle is depressed and the pipe lZl thus opened to the atmosphere as soon as the valve iii@ is moved to the left. The expanded fluid the inner end of the cylinder chamber lili!) is partially trapped therein, by the coveroi the adjacent piston rod port l lli by the overlying hub of the cylinder head, and serves to hold the shear head lll and its associated parts in their initial elevated position, until the cam l2! permits the valve ils to be again raised and reopen the connection to the motive iiuid conduit a.

In the return upward movement of the shear head 8l the pivoted cam block 92a is engaged by the lower end of the cam H25 and is rocked in a counterclockwise direction on the gear hub 523 until it passes the said cam, and is lifted above it; after which it is returned to normal engagement with the gear lug @2b by the spring Bile. This completes the cycle of severing and of accelerated delivery action.

It is sometimes desirable to impart to the severed and downwardly projected mold charge a lateral or transverse component of movementy in the direction of mold travel, so as to facilitate the delivery of the charge to the receiving receptacle while the latter is in motion. This is most eiectively accomplished in this improved delivery mechanism by shifting the position of the pintle bolt supports lili and W5 for the guide link arms Sli and 9B. Vifnen the centers of these pintle bolts are at the intersection of the vertical 75,-

and horizontal lines through the pivot connections at the ends of the links 95 and 96 the head 8l moves parallel to itself along the vertical line Si, HM. When these centers are shifted inwardly to shorten the guide arms HB5 and HiT-e. g., when the pivot bolt support HM is moved to the position C of Fig. Q-the head member 8| will still move parallel to itself but will travel along the curved line BT-Gf-d When the pivot bolt centers are moved outwardly and the link arms |66 and |01 are correspondingly lengthenedc e; e., when the pivot bolt |04 is moved to the position D of Fig. 9-the travel rof the head 8l will be along the curved line 9| a-d. The downward movement of the shear blade elements 87--85-85a in the curved path, S'I-d or 9|-d, will impart to the severed charge a horizontal' componentof velocity, V or V', which will be controlled by the amount of shift of the pintle bolt supports |04 and |05, and which can be directed to the right or the left along the line of travel' ofthe receiving receptacles-in the plane III-III of Fig. 2-so as to eliminate any relative lateral movement of the downwardly projected charge with respect to the horizontally moving mold.

The result last described can also be obtained by shifting the points of connection between the outer ends of the guide arms H36 and |'l and the associated parallel links 95-35 and S6. If, for example, the connection between the arms |85 and the links 95 is moved from the point E to the point G (see Fig. the path of travel of the shear blade assembly is changed from the straight line movement 9l-l4 to the curved line movement 91-a"-e". By shifting the point E in the opposite direction the path of travel of the head will, of course, beinclined to the left by a corresponding amount.

Figs. ll, l2 and 13 illustrate another embodiment of my improved shear mechanism, In this construction the parts b-a-Ba-lga-Qto and Sia correspond in all material respects with the correspondingly numbered elements of the previously described assembly (see Figs. 3 and 4) and do not, therefore, require further description. The head 81a on which these parts are mounted is of an open box shaped form, and is provided on one side with a stud shaft support L 94a which carries the bevel pinion 92d that serves to interconnect the upper and lower bevel gear segments 88a and Bia and to concurrently rotate the shear blade arms Mia-86a in opposite directions around the axes of the concentric shafts Sa-Qa.

The shaft 9||a projects for some distance beyond the top and bottom faces of the box shaped head 87a and is slidably mounted in the projecting arms of a U-shaped bracket |33, that is secured to an adjacent portion of the forehearth boot (i0). The bifurcated vertical leg of this bracket (|33) carries a cross shaft |36 which is connected to, and revolves at the same speed as the cam shaft |2|a of the feeder assembly, and which is provided with a cam |25a that is adapted to engage, at suitable intervals, with a lcam roller 92e on the bevel pinion d and thereby move the shear blades 85E-85h toward each other. rIhe shaft |34 is also provided with a second cam |35 which is positioned between the inner faces of the bifurcated bracket |33, and is adapted to engage a cam roller |36 that is rotatably mounted between the twin arms of a bell crank lever |31. This lever (|37) is pivotally mounted on the bracket |33 and is engaged at its outer end with the upper face of the shear head 81a.

The operation of this last described mechanism is as follows: When the parts are at rest, the shear head 81a is normally held in its raised position by the tension spring |38; and the shear blades 8517-8527 are held open by the two way spring |2'la. During this period of inactivity or rest, the axis of the spring |2712, and the center of the cam roller 92e occupy the dotted line positions H and H of Fig. 11. When the rotation of the shaft |36 brings the advancing edge of" the cam lobe |25a into engagement with the cam roller 92e the pinion @2d is revolved through the angle H-J, and the lshear blade arms are cor-l respondingly moved toward each other through the angles A-A (See Fig. l2). This rotary movement brings the edges of the cutting elements into close proximity to the surface of the flowing stream of glass; and the cam |35 then comes into action to rock the bell crank lever |31 on its pivot support and initiate the downward movement of the head 81a (and its associated parts) on its shaft bearings in the bracket |33, This downward movement cooperates with the con-l tinued rotation of the cam |2511 in effecting a further rotation of the bevel pinion 92d through the angle J-K, and completing the closing movement of the shear blades;-theratio between the axial and the transverse (cutting) motion of the severing elements being controlled and determined by the edge contours and the phase relationships of the two cams |25a and |35. As shown in Fig. 14 (diagram) the arrangement is preferably Such that the nal angular movement through the arc J`K is progressively accelerated with respect to the kconcurrent downward movement through the distance O-N, (as indicated by the successive coincident positions J--O-, J1-O1, J2-O2, K-N), so as to shape the severed end to such a form as is shown in Fig. '7; but it is apparent that the arrangement may be varied so as to obtain anyV desired relationship between the concurrent axial and lateral movement of the cutting edges.

As soon as the downward movement of the head 87a has carried the cam wheel 92e below the path of action of the cam |25a (at point N of Fig. 14) the angular movement of the bevel gears and shear arms is arrested, and the shear blades are held in their closed position by the two way spring |2`|a whose axis has now passed the dead center position of Fig. ll and occupies the dotted line position K. The downward movement of the head 81a, and of its associated parte, continues under the action of the cam ISE-preferably at a somewhat accelerated speeduntil the closed shear blades have been carried away from the' oncoming end of the severed stream, and the bevel pinion 92d is then rotated in the reverse (clockwise) direction by the engagement of the gear lug |2`|b4 (to which the outer end of the two-Way spring` |2711, is pivotally attached) with an adjustable post |2811 that is bolted to the lower arm of the U-shaped frame |33. This opens the shear blades, and as soon as this occurs the continued rotation of the shaft |34 moves the raised lobe of the cam |35 out of engagement with the cam roller |36 and the head Bla is then returned to its initial raised position by the spring |38.

In order to prevent any rotation of the reciprocable member (3io) under the edge thrust of the revolving cam |25a, and to also assist in maintaining the desired alignment between the axis of ther stream and the centers of the guard cups 85c--850Z, the head (81a) is provided with a laterally extending arm 81o whose outer end is slidably engaged between the inner faces of the bifurcated bracket support 33. The downward movement of the head, under the action of the cam E35, mayfif desired, be effected by the direct engagement of that revolving member with this guide. arm (870); but it is preferred to use the pivoted bell crank element I3? for this purpose because it permits of the use of a cam member of smaller diameter, and also affords another meansof changing the ratio between the axial and the transverse movements of the shear blade elements, From the foregoing description it is apparent that this improved shear mechanism (e. g. Fig. l1) is designed to carry out a procedure in which at least some portion of the charge shaping operation is accomplished by predeterminedly controlling the application of the severing forces transversely of the elongated mass c-r flowing stream, while at the same time varying in a predetermined relationship, the point of application of the forceel longitudinally of the mass. Stated differently, the shaping of the lower end of each charge is efected by controlling the transverse movement of the shear blades and their axial movement relatively to the particles of the mass subjected to the severing forces.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. li, l2 and 13 only a slight initial acceleration is given to the cut-off charge, because of the limited range of downward movement beyond the plane of shear blade closure. But this movement can be continued to any extent desired by the use of the modified form of construction shown in Fig. l5, in which thehead Sid-(that is in all essential respects the same as the one shown in the three preceding ligures)is movably supported on a triple parallel link assemblage (95o- Qa) like that previously described. In this case `the shaft 34@ is provided with a third cam which controls ythe movements of a timer valve liiib that controls the flow of motive fluid to the actuating cylinder of the parallel link assembly; and this cam is so set that motive uid is admitted to the pipe Illia, (which corresponds to the pipeli of Figs. l, la, 2 and 5) just before i the lever lla ceases to act. The downward movement of the head 'i'd, which has been controlled during the severing operation by the lever ISM (in the manner already explained), is then continued by the action of the parallel link system (as described in connection` with the construction of Figs. l to 4, inclusive) until the desired acceleration (and lateral velocity) has been imparted tothe cut-off charge; and the head 81d and its associated parts are then brought back to initial position by the return movement of the link system.

In the construction shown in Figs. 16 to 24, inclusive, each pair of cooperating shear blade and guard cupelements 85C- 85d is reciprocably mounted as a unit, on the short leg of an L.- shaped arm Hl which is pivotally supported by a vertical `pintle bolt lill thatpasses through an `elongated hub M2 at the inner end of the arm diate points of the arms (see Fig. 21); and said arms are` moved symmetrically toward each other-to the closed position shown in Figs. 16 to 24, inclusive-by two cams M35-M5 which are attached to the revolving shaft lfsllb and which are adapted to engage with cam rollers Mil-M1 that are journaled on stud bolt supports Hi8- |48 on the hubs mi2-M2.

Each shear blade is provided with a curved cutting edge (see Fig. 16) and is adjustably secured to the upper end of the associated guard cup 35d which is provided on one side with a 'if-shaped gib that slides in suitable guideways on the contiguous face of the arm H3G and which is also provided with a lug, iil that project" through a slot il therein; and thlslug is rlexibiy coupled-by pin and slot connectionto the outer end oi twin arm bell crank lever 52 that is pivotally mounted on the head of tb; stud bolt tilt. Each of these bell crank levers is provided with a cam. roller E53 which is journaled in the short arm thereof, and which is adapted to be engaged, at suitable intervals, by

a single lobed cam lZiib that is also secured to the` shaft EMD. During the periods when these elements i523 and i251) are out of engagement, the interconnected members d and E52 are held at the outer limits of their oscillatory or reciprocatory movements by the compression springs itat that are interposed between the L-shaped arms ili and the bifurcated levers l52.

rihe head 37e, which carries the parts Elib-452 etc., is movably supported on three l parallel links h, 96E-96h, whose inner ends are pivotally connected to the head 87e and `so as to move in synchronism and in parallelism with each other. der iii@ which is provided with a reciprocable piston rod member ll whose outer end terminates in a cross head 562 that slides in suitable guideways on the frame; and this cross head is connected, by the connecting rods l63 to the upper ends of a pair of bell crank levers it@ which are keyed to a cross shaft H55 that is journaled in an adjustable block iiii secured to the frame iii. The lever members ld are also cross connected by the spacing bolt collars ll; and their outer ends are pivotally coupled to the parallel link elements gbe-9G13 by the trunnion-spacerbolt 55. The two links 96h are rigidly cross lconnected by the spacer collars and bolts EN and by an inverted T-shaped bar lil whose central upwardly projecting stem is positioned between the adjacent faces of the cams HiB-|45, and which carries a pair of rollers H2 that are adapted to be engaged by the edges of the associated cam elements l35a-I35b- The admission and exhaust of motive fluid, to and from the opposite ends of the cylinder itil is controlled by a balanced double piston valve iii-i (see particularly Fig. 18), which is moved in one direction (to establish communication between the motive fluid conduit H4 and the inner, left-hand end of the cylinder 69) by a central cam H5 on the shaft lSlb; and in the other ldirection- (to connect this conduit with the outer, righ-hand end of the said cylinder)--by the conical coil compression spring llt.

The shaft itllb (like the shaft E34 of Fig. 11) is` revolved in synchronism. with, and at the same ,speed as, the cam shaft I2Ia of the feeder organ- The frame let carries a cylinization; and the cycle of operation of the last described mechanism is as follows:

When the desired quantity of glass has been expelled from the delivery orifice `(F) of the feeder, the cams |45 engage the cam rollers |631 on the arms |40 and move the latter to the closed position shown in Figs. 16 and 20, where they are held in locked engagement with each other by the dowel pin |11 and the spring pressed latch |18. This movement brings the cam rollers Et-H into the plane of action of theV cams |251); and at the conclusion of the said movement the advancing edges of the rotating elements |251) engage the rollers |53 and begin to rock the levers |52 on their trunnion supports on the stud bolt heads |48. During the first phase of this action, (i. e, during the closing movement of the arms |40), the head has been held in its elevated position-with the rollers |12 in engagement with the depressed, Vor reduced diameter portions of the cams |a)-by the pressure of motive fluid in the outer end of the cylinder |60; but as the cams |251) engage the rollers |53 the cam `|15 begins to move the valve |13 to the right, thus opening communication between this end of the cylinder and the atmosphere, (see Fig. 18); and the interconnected head and link elements are then moved downwardly by the action of the cams |350, on the rollers |12. This downward motion of the head 81e cooperates with the rotary motion of the cams |25b in producing a confro current axial and transverse movement of the shear blades, 05o, with and through the molten material-(the ratio between these concurrent movements being determined and controlled by the edge contours and phase relationships of the cams |251) and |35a)and correspondingly shapes the oncoming severed end of the iiowing glass to any desired and predetermined form.

It may be noted that in the operation of the construction now under consideration the closing (i. e. cutting) movement of each shear blade (85C) is effected and controlled by its own actuative cam (|2519) and that in consequence of this, the ratio between the axial and the transverse travel of each of these elements may be independently varied, (by changing the edge contour of the corresponding cam), so as to obtain, if`

desired, an unsymmetrical severing and shaping of the two sides of the flowing stream-(e. g. one-half of the severed end may be tapered or rounded more or less than the opposite half and thus compensate for slight inequalities in temperature and in velocity of flow in different parts of the molten material as it is expelled from the delivery orice.

When the shear blades have been brought to their closed position, by the concurrent lineal and rotative movements of the head 81e, and the cams |25b, the rollers |53 passA out of the range of action of the cams |255, and the associated shear blade and guard cup elements, B5c-85d, are locked to the arms |-I45 by the spring actuated latches ISU-|80. In the meantime the continued rotation of the cam shaft |3b during this second stage of the operation-(i. e. during the severance of the flowing stream) -moves the valve |13 to its full line position in Fig. 17 (and dotted line position of Fig, 18) and thus places the inner end of the cylinder |60 in communication with the motive iluid conduit |14, The downward movement of the head 01e which has been initiated, and up to this time controlled,

by the Vcams 35a, is then continued, at a progressively increased speed, by the outward movement of the piston-piston-rod lements ISL-|62, and the resultant clockwise rotation of the bell crank levers |64; and the severed stream. section, that is now embraced by the closed shear blade and guard cup elements 85C-85d, is pr'ojected downwardly at an accelerated velocity, which is controlled by the pressure in the cylinder, and which is preferably materially greater than that imparted to it by gravity action alone (infra).

When the desired speed of delivery to the receiving receptacle (e. g` the forming mold) has been attained, the levers |52 and the arms |40 are concurrently releasedfromtheir interlocked relationship by the engagement of a tapered, or wedge shaped finger |2813 with the latches |18 and |80; and the parts are returned to their fully separated or open positions (see dotted lines of Fig. 20), by the springs |40 and |54. The valve |13 is then moved to the left by the rotation of the cam |15 and the action of the follower spring |15, thus placing the outer end of the cylinder in communication with the motive fluid conduit |14 and opening the opposite inner end thereof to the atmosphere. The linksupported head 81e is immediately lifted to its initial position, and held in that position, by the pressure of the motive fluid on the outer side of the piston element IBI, in readiness for a repetition of the above described cycle of operation.

The line of movement of the head 81e is controlled by the positioning of the trunnion shaftl support for the bell crank lever |64. When this support is located at the point' shown in Fig. 17, the point of connection between theA lever and link elements Mit-95h travels in theV arc of a circle |5832 and the head 01e will correspondingly move along the substantially straight vertical line O-f. When the trunnion support is lowered (e. g. to the point P) the pivot bolt |10 will travel in the arc of a circle i081), and the path of movement of the head will then be inclined outwardly (as indicated by the dotted line O-p). If the pivotal axis of the lever |04 is raised (e. g. to the point R) the pivot connection |68 will move in the arm of a circle ISST; and the movement of the head (81e) will be along the inwardly inclined path O-r (see Fig. 17). In both cases the degree of inclination of the paths O--por O-r will be dependent upon the amount of shift of the bell crank support |-I56; and by ad justing this up or down the lateral component of movement of the downwardly projected chargeto the left or right of the vertical-can be varied and controlled, to impart to the said charge a horizontal velocity which corresponds to that of the moving mold into which it is projected.

The use of the accelerated delivery shear mechanism also enables the reshaping of the upper end of the cut-off stream section to various forms, which are materially different from that which is produced by the cutting action per se. This reshaping effect is obtained by utilizing the accelerating pressure, or downward thrust,which is exerted by the closed shear blades, on the mass of soft plastic glass that is embraced by the closed guard cups B5d-to spread or expand the upper end of the cut-off charge until it completely fills the adjacent portion of the guard cup cavity, and assumes whatever cross sectional form or outline that may be given thereto (see, for example, Figs. 7, 17, 23 and 24). If this upper end of the severed section is to be of convex or attened contour (see Figs.\7 and 17), thecshear blades 85e may be of the usual cats eye, or concavedA edge vlll) form shown in Fig. 2 or 16S- because in those cases the meeting edges of the cutting elements may be y permitted to overlap each other to any desired the formation of mold charges which are of a' conical or frusto-conical form (as indicated by the dotted lines of Figs. 23 and 24)and which may have either a circular, or an oval, or an eggshaped cross section-by correspondingly shaping the interior surfaces of the guard cups @5a-85d, and by moving these elements downward at such a speed as to obtain the necessary accelerating and spreading pressure on the upper ends of the cut-off sections of molten material. When the vclosed shear blade and cup elements are openedby the action of the fingers 12d-28@ or i282);- the re-shaped charge is completely released and continues to move downward, in the direction, and at the maximum velocity, previously imparted to it by these elements.

It is desirable to eliminate, as far as possible, any cooling of the external surface of the reshaped mass by the enclosing faces of the guard cups, and the latter are for this reason highly polished and may, if desired, be chromiumplated. The time of contact between the shear blades and guard cup elements and the glass is of course exceedingly short, and the attendant transfer of heat from the semi-molten material to the cooler metal is correspondingly small; but in order to avoid any possible overheating of the latter, a pair of nozzles ISZ-Hl areprovided (see Figs. 17 and 20), which are positioned outside of the path of movement of the members 05o- 8511, but in such relation thereto, that when these parts are in their opened and raised position they are exposed to blasts of cooling fluid which issue from these nozzles and are directed against the lower and inner surfaces of the shear blades and cups. The fluid which is used is preferably one which will not only exercise the desired cooling effect, but will also deposit a thin film of lubricant (e. g. water or oil vapor) on the glass engaging surfaces, and will thereby eliminate any tendency to either mar the mold charge skin or to cause to adhere to the hot metal.

Because of the high reciprooatory speed at which the elements of the accelerated delivery (and charge-re-shaping) mechanism are preferably operated; it is desirable to minimize the effects of inertia and momentum, by keeping all of the rapidly moving members as light as possible; and with this object in view it is preferred to make the majority of such parts of either aluminum, or stainless (1S- 8) steel, or of suitable aluminum alloys, which have the' additional characteristics of being relatively insensitive t0 thermal distortion at high temperatures. It will, of course, be understood that in the case of such constructions as are shown in Figs. 15 to 24, inclusive, recoil springs-such as are illustrated in Fig. l-may be employed, if desired, to assist in elastically checking and reversing the downward movement of the shear head, after the shear blade and guard cup elements have been opened to release the moving charge. It will also be understood that various structural details of the several form of apparatus hereinbefore disclosed (but which have not in all instances been specifically illustrated or described) can be readily added or modified by the skilled draftsman or machinist Without further explanation.

From the foregoing it is apparent that with the present invention the severance is effected in such a way that it does not retard or inten fere with theunrestrained downward movement of the stream particles, either in, above, or below the plane of severance, but the mechanism, on the contrary, may be so operated that it will actually `assist this downward movement.

It will also be apparent, to those skilled in this art, that the above described accelerated delivery shear mechanismwhich severs the continuously flowing stream without retarding or.

interfering with its free downward movement in the zone of severance, and which imparts to the cut-off section a velocity that is materially greater than it can attain under the action of gravity aloha-affords a very eiicient means of supplying a rapid succession of preformed mold charges to the receiving receptacles of forming machine, and thereby materially increases the possible speed of operation, and the resultant output, of the said machine. It will also be ap parent that these results can be accomplished by combining the accelerated delivery (and charge re-shaping) shear mechanisms heretofore described with any type of continuous forced iiow feeder construction; and that, with the preceding disclosure as a guide, engineers or others familiar with glass fabricating operations, will be enabled to design many other alternative forms of apparatus which will embody in whole or in part the characteristic features of the present invention. Y

It is to be understood that various other shear structures and shearing procedures for severing a continuously owing stream of molten glass to produce mold charges, and in which the shear blades move downwardly with the stream but which structurally and functionally distinguish from the features herein claimed, have beendevised by this inventor and that such mechanisms and procedures form the subject matter of and are claimed in pending applications for patent, and that the novel subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein is claimed in the following identied patents: No. 2,092,865 of Sept. 14, 1937, No. 2,108,518 of Feb. 15, 1938, No. 2,100,760 of Nov. 30, 1937, and 2,090,082 of August 17, 1937.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

v1. A, shear comprising a vertically movable frame, a spring for yieldingly holding said frame in its upper position, shear blades mounted on said frame, means for moving said blades laterally to close the same, a cam for actuating said blade closing means, a bell crank lever for lowering said frame and imparting an axial movement to said blades, and a cam for actuating said bell crank lever, said cams being arranged to maintain a desired relationship between the axial and lateral movement of said blades.

2. A shear comprising a vertically movable frame, shear blades mounted o-n said frame, means for moving said blades laterally to close the same, a cam for actuating said blade closing means, a two-way spring associated with said blades for hol-ding the blades in both their open IUSv and closed positions, a bell crank lever for lowering said frame and imparting an axial movement to said blades, a cam for actuating said bell crank lever, said cams being arranged to maintain a desired relationship between the axial and lateral movement of the blades, and means for actuating said spring to open said blades at the end of the downward movement oi' the frame. ,l 3. A mechanism for severing a stream of molten glass comprising a head, parallel pivoted links for supporting said head, arms pivoted on said head, a` shear blade slidably mounted on each said arm, means for closing said arms, means for locking said arms in their closed position, means for moving each said blade relative to its arm to close the same, means for swinging said links to move said head downwardly simultaneously with the closing of said blades, and means for releasing said arm locking means.

4. A mechanism for severing a stream of molten glass comprising a head, a parallel pivoted linkage supporting said head, arms pivoted on said head, a shear blade reciprocably mounted on each said arm, means for closing said arms, means for moving said blades relative to said arms to close the same, and means for swinging said parallel linkage to lower said head simultaneously with the closing of the blades.

5. In combination with means for periodically severing mold charges from a suspended stream of moltenglass, means for enclosing the charges so severed, means for moving said severing and enclosing means downwardly with said severed charges at a greater speed than the speed of the natural gravity fall of said charges, stationary means for opening said severing means as it approaches the limit of its downward movements and spring means in the path of movement of said enclosing means for assisting in cushioning and reversing the downward movement of said severing and enclosing means.

6. The combination with means for periodically severing mold charges from a suspended stream of molten glass and enclosing said charges, of mechanism for moving said means downwardly with saidvsevered charges at a greater speed than that of the normal gravity fall of said charges, stationary means for releasing Asaid charges as said means approaches the limit of its downward movement, a stationary coiled spring in the path of movement of said means for assisting the cushioning and reversal of its downward movement and through which the severed charges pass on their way to receiving molds.

7. In a shear mechanism, a support member, a pair of oppositely movable shear blades mounted on said support member, charge enclosing means carried by said shear blades, means for closing said blades and said charge enclosing means, elastic fluid operated linkage mechanism for causing said blades to periodically sever mold charges from a suspended stream of molten glass and moving the same downwardly, means for opening said sheer blades and said mold charge enclosing means as they approach the limit of their downward movements and spring means in the path of movement of said enclosing means for assisting in cushioning and reversing the same.

8. The combination of means for periodically severing mold charges from a suspended stream of molten glass, means for enclosing the charges so severed, means for moving said enclosing means downwardly with said severed charges at a speed which is greater than the speed of the normal gravity fall of said charges, stationary means for opening said enclosing means as it approaches the limit of its downward movements and stationary means in the path of movement of said enclosing means for assisting the cushioning and reversal of its downward movements.

9. The combination of means including oppositely moving shear blades for periodically severe ing mold charges from a suspended stream of molten glass, means for enclosing the sides of the charges so severed, means for moving said enclosing means downwardly with said severed charges at a speed which is greater than the speed of the normal gravity fall thereof, stationary means for opening said enclosing means as it approaches the limit of its downward movement and spring means in the path of movement of said enclosing means for assisting the cushioning and reversal of its downward movements.

MILDRED M. WADSWORTH,

Admmstratri of the Estate of Frank L. OL`

Wadsworth, Deceased. 

